Other Proposed Treatments

Triglycerides belong to a group of fat-related substances called lipids. An increase in levels of certain lipids—a condition called “hyperlipidemia”—contributes to heart disease.

To test for hyperlipidemia, physicians rely on blood tests called lipid profiles that measure triglycerides as well as two types of the lipid cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol.

In many people with hyperlipidemia, elevation of LDL predominates. Drugs in the
statin family
work particularly well at treating this form of hyperlipidemia. (For information on natural treatments for this condition, see the
High Cholesterol
article.)

In some people with hyperlipidemia, however, high triglyceride levels are the primary problem. These people are just as much at risk for heart disease as people with elevated LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, if triglyceride levels get high enough, the pancreas may become inflamed, causing a dangerous condition called pancreatitis. Skin lesions called xanthomas may occur as well.

People with high triglycerides may not respond well to statin drugs. Instead, they may need to use high-dose
niacin
or drugs in the
fibrate family
.
Exercise
(with or without weight loss) may also lower triglycerides. Diet, except when weight loss occurs, may not help, as a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet can actually raise triglyceride levels.

Principal Proposed Natural Treatments

Fish oil has shown distinct promise for treating hypertriglyceridemia. More than 2,000 people have participated in well-designed studies of fish oil for reducing triglyceride levels.
1
Most studies ran from about 7 to 10 weeks.

It appears that fish oil supplements can reduce triglycerides by about 25% to 30%. Although not all studies have been positive, in a detailed review of 47 randomized trials, researchers concluded that fish oil is capable of significantly reducing triglyceride levels with no change in total cholesterol levels and only slight increases in HDL (“good”) cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
35
However, it should be noted that in some studies, use of fish oil has markedly raised LDL cholesterol, which might offset some of the benefit.

Fish oil has been studied for reducing triglyceride levels specifically in people with
diabetes
, and it appears to do so safely and effectively.
3
Furthermore, in people using statin drugs to control lipid levels, the addition of fish oil or its isolated component DHA appears to improve results.
4, 34

Fish oil is a source of
omega-3 fatty acids
, healthy fats that the body needs as much as it needs vitamins. The most important omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are named EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). According to some, but not all, studies, EPA may be more important than DHA for reducing triglyceride levels.
5-10, 32

In addition, a slightly modified form of fish oil (ethyl-omega-3 fatty acids) has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides).
33
This specially processed product, sold under the trade name Omacor, is widely advertised as more effective than ordinary fish oil. However, it should be noted that Omacor has undergone relatively little study itself; the physician prescribing information notes only two small trials to support its effectiveness for this use. This is far less evidence than usually required for drug approval, and also substantially less than the body of evidence supporting standard fish oil as a treatment for high triglycerides.

For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full
Fish Oil
article.

Other Proposed Natural Treatments

Numerous studies indicate that
soy
can reduce total and LDL cholesterol, especially when it replaces animal protein in the diet, and on this basis it has been approved for a “heart healthy” label by the FDA. Soy also appears to modestly improve triglyceride levels.
11

The supplement
pantethine
is widely promoted as a natural treatment for hypertriglyceridemia. However, the evidence that it works rests on small studies with somewhat inconsistent results.
12-16

In people with type 2 diabetes, use of
chromium
may reduce triglyceride levels, according to some but not all preliminary trials.
17-21

However, chromium does not appear to be effective for reducing triglyceride levels in people without diabetes.
20,22-25

Other herbs and supplements that have shown promise for reducing triglyceride levels include
fenugreek
,
27creatine
,
28
and
Achillea wilhelmsii
.
29

The drug tamoxifen has a tendency to raise triglyceride levels. In an open study, simultaneous use of
vitamin C
(500 mg daily) and
vitamin E
(400 mg daily) counteracted this side effect.
30

The supplement
flax oil
contains omega-3 fatty acids similar but not identical to those found in fish oil. It has been proposed as an alternative to fish oil, because it does not cause fishy burps. However, evidence suggests that flax oil is not as effective as fish oil for reducing triglycerides.
1

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.